Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

Racers are intense people. Hell, I have even been in that position before where I told the guys to keep people away from me while I cooled off. Tony is the most intense od just about anyone I have ever met. He gets mad, he gets angry and most of all, he expects to win. He gets angry when he doesn't. If it's nascar, a sprint car race, a midget race or from what I heard on Wednesday, a go-kart race. "Some little kid thought it would be funny to take me out the other day at Kart world. His Dad thought it was funny....for a minute." If you are a true racer, you NEED to win everything. Intensity doesn't change because he is racing a sprint car or midget, it will be the same as if it was racing for the cup.

Sorry the kid got that answer, but out of Tony and when things aren't going great, can't say I would be any differant.

Joe, I can understand a fan or crew member thinking as you do, but the truth is that drivers are reading this saying,"I wish I had the balls to say that"

Instead of griping about what Tony didn't do and his attitude why aren't you thankful for what he is doing for Sprint Car Racing? Where's Jeff Gordon now that he's a NASCAR champion? I can tell you where he won't be-at a sprint car race. I haven't seen Jeff at Ovals or Westerns for years now. At least Tony supports the sport that got him to where he is today.

Side note here: I have approached many a driver for their autographs for my t-shirts and other memorabilia however, I've learned there's a right and wrong time to do this. During autograph sessions or in the pits after the races are great times. But when they are out with their friends and family or busy working on their race cars isn't the best time to approach them. On Friday night of the Oval Nationals, Cruz Pedregon was sitting 2 rows in front of me. He was really cool and talked with all of us, but we all respected the fact he was out on the town and I didn't see anyone in our section asking him for an autograph. He laughed and joked with everyone and was really cool. Now, did part of me want to ask for that autograph to add to my collection? Oh HECK YEAH!! But did I? No, because I didn't want to intrude on his night out. I think it's all in how you look at it. Maybe I just look at it different that most do, but even though they race NHRA or NASCAR they still are people too.

I've also seen it where parents use their kids to get closer to the drivers to get autographs. All in all, I don't blame Tony for doing what he did. Especially if he was racing that night.

I happen to agree with Alex... I'd bet a lot of drivers are saying "I wish I had the balls to say that!"

Just my 2 cents worth...

June

RIP Chet and Mark.  You might be gone but never will 
be forgotten.

JUSTWONDERING
November 24, 2006 at 11:38:29 AM

Joe, without calling you names like piece of crap, I have to tell you, you are 100% wrong about Tony and any other driver that comes to the race track to get the job done. There is a time and place for everything, and by reading your post it makes me think that A.) your not a success in life and B.) you lack common sense. I walked by the Stewart pits, gave him a wave and got a nod back, if he took 30 seconds to sign an autograph for every person that asked (the pits during a race is not social hour by the way) he would spend his night with a pen instead of a wrench. And as far as "we made him what he is", did you have your butt in the seat flipping down the backstraight at 'race track USA' ? He and every other driver that has stood in victory lane made thier own success. My personal Merry Christmas goes out to the Tony Stewart that has spent millions on funding teams for guys like Josh Wise, Cory Kruseman etc. Also, to the same Tony Stewart that gives millions to charity to help the kids that don't have the chance to get on a message board and call him a piece of crap. Joe, you may be a nice guy but your out of line on this one. Please for every driver that gets hounded at every turn, (I've seen drivers asked for an autograph in the bathroom), reconsider your priorities while the drivers are at the track to do the job they are paid to do by the other fans that pay to see a race. And ask your self the question "are you ready to go fast tonight" and sign your name on a scrap of paper 3,000 times in one night and post back here if you got tired of it.

For a guy who did not want to call Joe names you sure did like to belittle him..Did that make you feel bigger...As for you're lil friend Tony..Maybe your him writting under this name..For one you should get your facts right..I believe its people like Mopar,Bass pro shops etc that put up the money for his race teams..Be honest if you were any of these companies would you be happy reading how rude your driver was..I don't care how much money he gives away to causes..what does that matter if on the other hand you disrepect people and act like a crazy person on the track if things don't go your way..If you ever raced a day in your life tell me if a guy got crazy and stuffed you in the wall and hurt you badly and you could never race again,would you give a crap how much money he gave away..You say you know Tony..if this is true you would know a lot of what he does it to stroke his ego..Lets just be honest while we are on the subject about him..Also if it was not for the fans who goe to these races where would he be right now? The real fact is when nobody other then the dirt fans knew Tony's name he sure was not making the money he is now ,nor would he ever have had the freedom to buy race teams or tracks if it was not for fans..Sure us drivers strap ourself in these cars and love evey minute of it,but without fans it would never be the same..The fact is at dirt tracks people love to be able to see there heros up colose after a race and not be treated like crap..and come on be real do you really believe that 3,000 people really gave a crap enough to ask Tony for a autograph...;)

I wonder if Tony is a little like a guy that beats his wife and then buys her a large diamond ring. Tony misbehaves on track and then makes a substantial charitable donation. I don't think so, I just think that he is just very single minded on what he is doing. And sometimes his mind does not include the fans.

Calli 12X, lots of questions, too many to answer, but, No, I'm not tony, I never have raced, would be pissed if I got stuffed in the wall, think 3,000 people want his autograph, I never posted that I knew Tony (I don't) and still think Joe should not try to make 2 wrongs a right by calling someone that kids look up to "a piece of crap". In another post Harry askes about Tony's wife, probably Tony is too busy working at helping sprint car racing running Eldora, keeping up wih his charities for kids etc. ( racing with NASCAR) to meet a girl to marry. Hope everyone has a happy holiday season, I'm looking forward to some great racing with the CRA sprint cars next year, nothing beats the racing at Perris but glad to see Vegas back on the calendar.

Justwondering

Hey why dont you read this post and let me know what part of I'M SORRY that you do not understand??? I said I was wrong for what I said and that I was sorry. Yea two wrongs dont make a right and at least I can say that I was wrong in what I said. It was my opinon and at that time that is the way that I felt. Shoot me for being human.

Joe Clifton

I have mixed emotions relative to this Tony Stewart issue as I can remember Mel Kenyon many years ago after a midget race (probably Turkey Night Grand Prix) at Ascot Park in Gardena, CA. Kenyon had experienced a pretty forgettable evening but he was still smiling, posing for pictures and signing autographs at least an hour after the end of the main event.

In 2003 I was at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix for part of the Western World. I approached Tony Stewart in the pits and asked for an autograph for the young son of a friend of mine. Tony advised me that he didn't give autographs in the pits. Figuring there was more than one way to skin the proverbial cat, I sent a letter to Joe Gibbs racing along with $20 for Tony's favorite charity and asked if it would be possible to get an autographed picture. Within two weeks I received an envelope with a picture autographed by Tony to the young race fan. Ironically, the young man who is now eleven has given serious consideration of late to remaining a Tony Stewart fan as he thinks perhaps he should go with someone "more mature." Out of the mouths of babes . . .

Tucson Osty

Just keep in mind, that when he signs one autograph, the gate has been opened..... the person beside you sees him signing, then he wants one, the guy behind him sees that autograph, he wants one, etc....

If you want an autograph, make sure YOU get to the autograph session on time, dont interfere with a man at work. JMO